Angel's Betrayal by H.A. Somerled - Interview and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Leave a comment or ask the author a question for a chance to win a digital copy of the book--you can see the other stops by clicking the tour banner.

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I enjoy a good adventure, something to get my heart pumping and my brain whirling. Mystery/Thrillers have all that, plus if the writer is funny on top of that, it’s a big bonus for me.

What research is required?

This series is about hackers, and this book in particular is about hacking into military drones. I make sure that the information about computers are correct, and sometimes, by kismet I believe, I’ll be listening to the radio and they will be talking about drones, or TOR’s (a program where a person can jump servers to avoid being detected) and I’ll think, “I should write this down.” Most of my information about the drones came from an interview of a former drone operator. It was fascinating and horrifying.

I’m pretty sure with all the sketchy research (like how much voltage does it take to kill a person) has gotten me flagged by the FBI.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

Angel is my hacker. Sometimes I write a computer problem then don’t know how to solve it. She usually pops into my head and solves it. She’s really smart.

Any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I really have to be undisturbed. I sequester myself to solitary confinement, put on some dark music (Eels and Lorde usually do the trick), and just write. Woe to anyone who crosses the threshold of my fortress of solitude. I usually write them into my story where they will meet a horrible fate. Bwah ha ha ha!

Plotter or pantser?

I am a plotter. I actually hand-write my rough draft out. I either have a notebook or my iPad with me at all times so I can plot where I plop. What’s nice about the iPad is whatever I write on Evernote, I can pull up on my computer screen and reference it while I pound out a first draft.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

A very cluttered vision board... I should really clean that up. There are things that don’t belong there, like pictures of pugs in pots and postcards from Turkey.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

Besides being an author, I am working two jobs, soon I will give up one and I’ll be able to write again. Right now I’d pass as a Walking Dead extra. When I get back to the living, I’ll continue writing the new series about steampunk pirates.

Do you have a question for our readers

I always ask readers what they like to read and why. Especially romance fans, I don’t understand the draw. It’s so formulaic, and always ends the same way, why read it? But I guess I have no room to complain, one of my favorite writers is Janet Evanovich and her Plum series.

It's summertime and insects are not the only things flying in the London skies.

Oliver and Danny Murray return in this explosive second-in-the-series novel.

When two CIA agents appear in Oliver Murray's office, he knows nothing good could come from it. An American drone has gone missing and the agents believe that one of their own may have taken it. The agent in question is Sara Parsons, also known as Fallen Angel.

Maintaining her innocence, Angel tries to find the real culprit, but when one of the agents sent to apprehend her turns up dead in her flat, Oliver has a hard time believing her. With the help from his brother, Danny, Oliver betrays his own instincts and decides to help Angel find the true murderer and drone thief.

About the Author:H. A. Somerled lives in the Missoula, Montana area. After an uneventful tour in the U.S. Navy, she followed her passions and enrolled in Culinary School. She graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art and has also completed a writing course from the Long Ridge Writer's Group.

She has two dogs, a puggle named Fritter and a pug named Flapjack. She considers herself lucky to be single and claims she's half the age she really is.

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Seventeen by Mark D. Diehl - Spotlight and Giveaway

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Most of the world's seventeen billion people are unconscious, perpetually serving their employers as part of massive brain trusts. The ecosystem has collapsed, and corporations control all of the world's resources and governments. A bedraggled alcoholic known as the Prophet predicts nineteen year-old waitress Eadie will lead a revolution, but how can she prevail when hunted by a giant corporation and the Federal Angels it directs?

Enjoy an excerpt:

The man’s mouth hung open as he stared at her face. His long, ashen hair had shifted, revealing a smudge of grease or dirt that made an almost perfect circle on his forehead.

“Sir? Are you all right?”

His eyes widened. “It is you,” he said. “At last. I have been looking forward to meeting you for such a long, long time.”

“Oh, yeah, sorry it took me so long to get to your table, sir. I just clocked in.”

He blinked slowly, pondering her response. “Ah,” he said. “You are a waitress, still. Well, then, General, I would have a cup of Vibrantia, if it pleases you.” The man’s expression never altered and his lips remained mostly still as he spoke, making it seem as though his voice was coming from somewhere or someone else.

Eadie clenched her teeth, trying not to laugh, though his words made her feel as though she was being tickled with a feather along her spine. “I’m sorry, sir. This is a corporate restaurant owned by McGuillian Corporation, so we synthesize only McGuillian patents. We have Synapsate but not Vibrantia. Would that be all right?”

“Of course, General. That would be lovely, if it pleases you.”

“Okay, sir. And my name is Eadie, by the way.”

“Thank you, General Eadie. And, if you like, you may address me as many have lately come to do. I am the Prophet.”

About the Author:

Mark D. Diehl writes novels about power dynamics and the way people and organizations influence each other. He believes that obedience and conformity are becoming humanity’s most important survival skills, and that we are thus evolving into a corporate species.

Diehl has: been homeless in Japan, practiced law with a major multinational firm in Chicago, studied in Singapore, fled South Korea as a fugitive, and been stranded in Hong Kong.

After spending most of his youth running around with hoods and thugs, he eventually earned his doctorate in law at the University of Iowa and did graduate work in creative writing at the University of Chicago. He currently lives and writes in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Author’s Website: http://www.markddiehl.com a Rafflecopter giveaway Secrets about your genre.

Wicked Seduction by Kristabel Reed - Spotlight and Giveaway

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She came to the Parisian Fair for adventure...what she found far exceeded her every expectation. Sex and adventure abound, and Victoria is caught up in the bliss she, Edmund, and Warren create. She wants more, craves it, but is terrified of the consequences. Scandal is around every corner; when she meets one head on will she flee? Or will she realize the power of her ménage is stronger than merely sex?

Enjoy an excerpt:

Try as she might, all Victoria clearly knew was that doing this, taking this step, was her decision.

The crowds began to thin, and she roused herself. Eleven at night, and the fair finally closed for the day. She watched them leave, watched the couples and groups of friends, the laughing men and chattering women stream past her. Planning to join them on their way out of the fair, she started when a deep male voice addressed her.

“Miss,” the man said and Victoria whirled to face him. “We noticed you were on your own here. Would you care for an escort to your companions? Or,” the man added with a knowing spark in his eye, “to the gate or a hackney?”

Victoria looked between the man, tall, very handsome with dark hair and deep eyes, and his blonde, younger companion who stood silently, but not docilely, beside him. A warmth moved through her at the sight of them but she tried to dismiss it.

“I’ve no companion this evening,” she admitted.

“May we then escort you to your hotel?” the younger man offered.

“Forgive me,” the older man said and bowed deeply. “I’m Warren Blackfield and this is my associate, Edmund Garrison.”

The younger man bowed as well and murmured, “A pleasure.”

“Victoria,” she began then stopped short of offering her surname. The two men sounded English, very proper, dressed in the finest Saville Row had to offer, but she enjoyed her anonymity here, and wished to maintain it.

“Victoria…?” Edmund asked.

“Just Victoria,” she repeated.

About the Author:

Kristabel Reed lives on the East Coast and loves to explore the steamier side of historical romance. Historical ménages in particular-they add an element of danger and discovery to make them all the hotter. Contemporary ménages are a world unto themselves, and her upcoming Havenbrook Ménages Series will tell the tale of a small California town.

She loves reading, watching old movies, and anything Cary Grant. And is always interested in talking about erotic romance. Because...yum!

Blog: kristabelreed.blogspot.com
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Circle of Dishonor by Carla Swafford - Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Carla will award one copy of CIRCLE OF DISHONOR at every stop to a randomly drawn commenter, and a $25 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly chosen winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Please click the banner to see the other stops on this tour.

John “Ice” Takahashi’s final job for The Circle has an unexpected hitch in it; he’s fallen for an innocent civilian and his enemies know it. With his mission in a shambles, he’ll do anything to protect her, including kill. So how can a man without honor prove he’s worthy of her love?

Lena Matthews feels like she’s playing with fire by dating the mysterious Master J. He’s exotic, dangerous, and exactly what she needs in her boring life. With the bad guys bearing down on them, she discovers a whole new world of sensuality that binds her heart to his forever.

Now enjoy an excerpt:

Lena Matthews felt like a perverted voyeur.

Sitting in a coffee shop across the courtyard from the martial arts studio’s glass storefront, she stared at the tae kwon do class as they kicked and jabbed. Most of the students wore white pajama-like uniforms, except for the teacher. He stood out in black with his shaggy dark hair and ripped body. The man looked good enough to lick.

For the last five weeks after her tai chi class, she’d claimed the same chair and watched his every move. Behind her, others in the coffee shop chatted about the class and the mysterious man leading it.

From what she’d overheard, his name was John Takahashi, and the students called him Master J.

Master? Oh, yeah. She could imagine he’d master many things. With his strong hands and long muscled arms and legs, he likely controlled any situation or person. He could easily lift and hold her against the wall as he stroked her to a climax. She whimpered and squeezed her knees together.

A shake of her head knocked out the dirty thoughts racing through her mind. She knew better. He’d never be attracted to an ordinary person like her. The woman he chose would be totally the opposite of her: young, athletic with honey blonde hair. Lena was about as interesting as watching bread turn to toast.

Carla Swafford is a lithe twenty-nine year old with long auburn hair and sparkling dark eyes who loves dancing with her gypsy friends. Geez! Can you tell I love writing fiction? Now for the real stuff: I'm married to my high school sweetheart and live in Alabama. I swear my stories are more exciting.

http://www.carlaswafford.com

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Hard Landing by Shirleen Davies - Interview and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card, a $10 Amazon gift card, and two ebooks of Second Summer to randomly chosen commenters vie Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I read many genres including historical non-fiction, mystery/suspense, crime, and, of course, romance. The one genre that I keep going back to over and over is romance, and specifically historical western and contemporary romances. That’s the main reason I write in these genres—they are my favorites as a reader.

Wonderful elements exist in all book genres. In my mind, romance is special in that these stories include stimulating plots, twists and turns that are common in suspense, interesting locations, and characters a reader is able to connect with and understand. A good romance draws the reader in, connecting them to the characters, and making them feel they are a part of the story.

What research is required?

I do considerable research for all of my books as I believe readers expect and deserve to have more than the basics of a location or time period. Hard Landing required substantial research about the process of becoming a Naval Aviator. Details including training periods, locations, planes, and assignments are all based on factual information. The Naval lifestyle, as portrayed in the book, is also based on research, interviews, and personal experience. The end result is a fictional romance based on true life experience.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

The difficulties women face when choosing a role in a traditionally male career. In this case, the heroine chose to be a Navy pilot after graduating from the Naval Academy. It is a competitive environment requiring skills few people possess. My story focuses on one woman who passed all of the tests and flourished in a very male world. Succeeding in such an environment can make choices such as marriage and family even more difficult, especially for women who many times must go beyond normal expectations to gain the respect of other pilots.

Any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I wish I did, it would make things much more interesting. The reality is that my routine is simple and focused, without quirks or superstitions. I do, however, write every day.

Plotter or pantser?

Both. My writing pattern has changed over the years from being an almost exclusive panster to being about fifty percent of both. I spend time up front preparing an outline using spiral notebooks and spreadsheets. This helps me focus and highlights areas that will require research. After that I’m pure panster. I like having a big picture overview of the plot then working through the details as I write. Most times I come up with characters I had no idea would surface when the story began. It’s exciting to see what pops up when you let your imagination take over.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

A view to the town below and mountains across the valley where I live in northern Arizona. Closer in sits an easy chair, big screen TV (I like keeping it tuned to adventure/action movies, without sound, when I write), and fireplace.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I’ve just finished book three, One More Day, which follows Hard Landing in my contemporary romance series. The big challenge, however, is my new historical western romance series, which will debut in September with book one, Redemption’s Edge. The series focuses on men and women impacted by the massive changes in the country after the American Civil War.

Do you have a question for our readers?

I’d love to know what they read and their favorite genres. Are there any genres they simply don’t read and why?

Hard Landing, Book Two in the MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary Romance Series

In this passionate Contemporary Romance series, author Shirleen Davies introduces her readers to the modern day MacLarens.

Trey MacLaren is a confident, poised Navy pilot. He’s focused, loyal, ethical, and a natural leader. He is also on his way to what he hopes will be a lasting relationship and marriage with fellow pilot, Jesse Evans.

Jesse has always been driven. Her graduation from the Naval Academy and acceptance into the pilot training program are all she thought she wanted—until she discovered love with Trey MacLaren . . .

. . . Trey and Jesse’s lives are filled with fast flying, friends, and the demands of their military careers. Lives each has settled into with a passion. At least until the day Trey receives a letter that could change his and Jesse’s lives forever.

It’s been over two years since Trey has seen the woman in Pensacola. Her unexpected letter stuns him and pushes Jesse into a tailspin from which she might not pull back.

. . . Each must make a choice. Will the choice Trey makes cause him to lose Jesse forever? Will she follow her heart or her head as she fights for a chance to save the love she’s found? Will their independent decisions collide, forcing them to give up on a life together?

Hard Landing is the second book in the MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary novella series—heartwarming stories of difficult choices, loyalty, and lasting romance. Watch for book three, One More Day, Cameron and Lainey’s story, in the summer of 2014.

Enjoy an excerpt:

“Coming,” he called, as the doorbell sounded once more. He reached the door and pulled it open, stunned into silence by who stood outside.

“Hello, Trey.” Jesse stood tall and looked him in the eyes.

He recovered quickly. “Jesse.” He looked beyond her, but saw no one else. “What are you doing here?”

Her courage diminished as she realized he might not even allow her inside.

“Reb and Paul came over to watch the ballgame. It was loud, crazy, lots of testosterone, so I thought…” her voice trailed off.

“What? You’d come over here for old times’ sake?”

She looked behind him. It hadn’t occurred to her that he might have invited someone over. “I’m sorry. This probably wasn’t a good idea—stopping by without calling.” She turned to leave.

“Why did you come over? You generally have a plan for everything. This seems pretty spontaneous.”

Jesse stopped, knowing he’d guessed right. She did have a plan but had lost her nerve as soon as he’d opened the door. Her heart had jumped into her throat at the sight of Trey. His deep gray t-shirt was drawn taut across his chest and tucked into tight fitting jeans. His dark hair was a little mussed, and the dark stubble on his face reminded her of the first time she’d met him, in the gym at the Academy. Her breath had caught then also, at the sight of the muscular, incredibly handsome, and somewhat dangerous looking midshipman.

Tonight it was by sheer will that she’d gotten out the first two words of a greeting.

She took a couple of steps toward him. “I guess I didn’t think it through.” She licked her lips, fortifying herself before looking into eyes that were set, hard. “The guys said you were here with Trevor. I’d been wanting to speak to you, to try to explain.” She paused again, already sensing she’d made a huge mistake. “I guess I just wanted to see you.”

About the Author:

Shirleen Davies writes romance--historical, contemporary, and romantic suspense. She grew up in Southern California, attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. During the day she provides consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. But her real passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.

Shirleen began her new series, MacLarens of Fire Mountain, with Tougher than the Rest, the story of the oldest brother, Niall MacLaren. Other books in the series include, Faster than the Rest, Harder than the Rest, Stronger than the Rest, and Deadlier than the Rest. Book six, Wilder than the Rest, is due for release in early summer, 2014. Her contemporary romance series, MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary, opened with book one, Second Summer. Book two, Hard Landing, released in April 2014, and Book three, One More day, is scheduled to release in midsummer, 2014.

Shirleen loves to hear from her readers.

Write to her at: shirleen@shirleendavies.com
Visit her website: http://www.shirleendavies.com
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Unconquerable Callie by DeAnn Smallwood - Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. DeAnn will be awarding a $25 Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Five things you’d probably never guess about me
,br> I’m shy. You’d never know it because I force myself to be outgoing. Most everyone thinks I’m totally at ease in a crowd, outgoing, joking and talking. But deep inside, it’s taking a lot of effort.

I’m a junk eater. I love, love, love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I’m a jelly maker, so I have a variety of home-canned jams and jellies. Just think, there’s only 4 Weight Watcher’s points in a PBJ. Yum! Now they are healthy, but I have to have my candy, too. And cookies, don’t let me go there.

I’m a runner. I really like running. I try to run at least three miles a day. Not much compared to others, but for me it’s okay. Now, if you saw me running, you might say I jog, that’s the nicest way to describe it. Other not so nice people say it’s a fast walk. But I call it running. I don’t like to walk. Running is a high for me.

I’m very patriotic. I watch NFL all season and stand with my hand across my heart during the National Anthem. This is in my home, in front of my chair, no matter who’s there. I can easily tear up when the flag goes by. And patriotic songs…love ‘em.

I’m always afraid my last book written might just indeed be my last book. What if I wake up some morning, and my imagination and ability to write has disappeared overnight? I don’t think there’s a chance of this happening. I have lots of books just waiting to be written. Writing is my passion and having my books published and read is a dream come true.

Callie Collins, a proud woman in the late 1800’s is a liar and a darned good one, a master of the dubious art. She is also a dreamer. Her greatest hope is to reach a new life in South Pass City Wyoming, where she can open a bakery and live an independent life. To be successful, she will need her greatest gifts of deception to date. As a woman alone, she has to prove to Seth McCalister, the wagon master, that she has the wherewithal (a wagon and a set of oxen), the stamina to survive months of drought, dust, hardships and even risk of death, and a mythical fiancé who waits at the end of the line.

McCallister is uneasy, but also mystified by the audacity and determination of the young woman. He allows her to join the train west. What he doesn’t realize is there is no fiancé. To make matters worse, Callie is in love with Seth McCallister, too. For the first time, the lies that have brought her so far in life threaten to keep her from her one, true love. McCallister is a man of strong character and Callie feels certain that once he realizes her deception, he’ll turn away, ashamed of his love and trust in her.

Enjoy an excerpt:

Callie was a liar. A darned good one. She didn’t set out to be one; it just happened and necessity demanded she perfect this dubious art.

She was twenty-two when she told her first lie. After that, it was like a pebble rolling downhill, starting slow, then gaining momentum.

The problem lay in remembering the embellishments. Just last week she’d named her imaginary fiancé Frank and, two days later, referred to him as Tom.

It wasn’t her fault she was reduced to lying. It wasn’t her fault she’d been born the weaker sex. Weaker, bah.

Wasn’t she a crack shot? If women were allowed to compete, she would out shoot any man around.

Wasn’t she an expert horsewoman? Granted, she had only ridden at Miss Whitman’s Riding Stable For Young Ladies, but how much harder could it be to ride on the open plains? A horse was a horse.

About the Author:I live in Colorado with my husband and my two Yorkie kid dogs: Stormy, four pounds, and Eli, six pounds. I’m a native of Colorado, but I’ve lived several years in Wyoming and Montana. I draw from these beautiful states for most of my books. My historical romances are: Montana Star, Sapphire Blue, Unconquerable Callie, and Wyoming Heather. Tears In The Wind is a contemporary romance. I have just contracted for another historical romance, One Shingle To Hang. It will be published fall of 2014. Then I changed genres from my beloved romances and wrote, under the pen name of D. M. Woods, my first suspense/thriller: Death Crosses The Finish Line. The second book in this ‘death’ series, Death Is A Habit, came out January 8th, this year. I am currently working on the third book in the ‘death’ series, Death Walks C Dock. I am also working on another historical romance, Montana Man. Truly, I mean it when I say my greatest pleasure next to writing is having my books read and enjoyed. There are many more stories just waiting to be written.
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Ash Rising by Melissa Fox - Excerpt and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Melissa will be awarding an ebook copy of Ash Rising and a $20 gift certificate to Amazon or Starbucks (Winner's Choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Infiltrating an international drug cartel is the dangerous chance of a lifetime for Asher Beaulieu of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Falling in love while running the op isn’t part of the plan, but he never had much use for plans anyway. Shrouded in deception and surrounded by temptation, his charmed life explodes in betrayal and tragedy.

Ash rises from the flames a guarded, wary shadow of his former self. His past comes to revisit him, along with an annoying American DEA agent, who forces Ash to reclaim his courage and character before facing another chance at love—and an even deadlier threat.

DEA Special Agent Emmaline Justice is determined to be recognized for her work, not her sex. She doesn’t have time for an intriguing, wounded RCMP inspector. When the contacts she cultivated over long months of an international undercover investigation keep showing up dead, Emma must use her instincts as both an agent and a woman to determine Beaulieu’s role in the case and in her life.

One woman tore him apart. Another is brave enough to put him back together—if his past doesn’t kill him first.

Enjoy an exclusive excerpt:

“I didn’t kill anyone, Pete. If I did, it would have been a lot more gruesome and definitely more painful. And no one would ever find the bodies.”

Pete scowled and heaved a breath, hands on hips. “You can’t say things like that, Ash, not now, not even joking. Both Salvatores are suspected of direct involvement with the bombing and your parents’ murder. You have good reason to want them dead.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Ash tightened his jaw, the ache in his left arm an indication he’d done the same with his fists. He flattened his palms on the top of his thighs and sucked in a slow, careful breath. “You think I haven’t figured that out already?”

“Has anyone considered maybe someone is after Ash? They’re either trying to set him up or might come after him next?” Andy’s quiet voice eased the tension between Ash and his boss. “You were part of Salvatore’s intimate circle for a while. If someone’s after them, they might come after you.”

Ash got to his feet and stalked over to the narrow window. He was silent for a moment, and then his shoulders sagged as he sighed.

“Yeah. I’ve thought of that. I’ve thought about how people close to me might be in danger again.” He glared unseeing out onto the street, refusing to look at Andy. He couldn’t look at Andy. “We’ve got to find who killed Rico and Gina. We’ve got find out before they start moving from the criminals to my friends again.”

About the Author: After being rationed books by my parents like most kids get rationed candy, I turned to writing to tide me over between fixes. I love to get lost in a captivating, exhilarating story, whether reading or writing. Nothing is better than being drawn into a story so deeply you don't realize you're turning a page until you've reached the end, and the characters live on in your heart and mind long after the cover has been closed.

Having lived in the suburbs of the Mid-West, desert of the Southwest, and foothills of the Rocky Mountains, I’m now on an island in the Puget Sound with my husband and dogs.

Website: http://melissa-fox.com
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Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Fox/e/B009YC0ERO
Blog: http://fightforyourwrite.com
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The Rebel Cowboy's Quadruplets by Tina Leonard - Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Tina will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to TWO randomly drawn commenters during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour. Remember, the more stops you visit and comment, the better your chances to win.

REBEL WITH A CAUSE?

Justin Morant can't believe he answered an online dating ad! Turns out, beautiful Mackenzie Hawthorne is looking for a ranch foreman, not a husband. Good thing, because marriage isn't in the injured bull rider's future. Justin is happy to take up the cause of saving the Hanging H ranch—and then there's the bonus of playing stand-in father to the sexy single mom's four angelic newborns.

Mackenzie doesn't know what miracle brought Justin to Bridesmaids Creek, Texas, but she'd be a fool to fall for the hunky cowboy who wears his rebel status like a badge of honor. Justin's a natural with her daughters and a whiz at ranching…yet one day she knows he's going to gallop off into the sunset. Unless, of course, the marriage-minded townspeople get their hands on him!

Now enjoy an excerpt:

Justin slept off and on, dozing in the room with the babies. It was weird how much he found himself enjoying taking care of them. As a man who’d never been interested in having children—not one bit—he was surprised by how Mackenzie’s four little daughters tugged on his heartstrings.

He hated the idea of leaving them—all of them. And, somehow, he even hated the idea of Frog staying behind to take his place. Or any of the three men Ty was bringing on to replace him, for that matter.

The only reason he was leaving with Ty was because Ty had brought him here in the first place. He owed it to him out of a sense of brotherhood. Ty wouldn’t ask him if he didn’t need him. Mackenzie didn’t really need him—not like Ty did.

He needed to talk to Ty a bit more, dig into the mission to settle the questions in his mind. But the thing that unsettled his mind the most was how much he hated the idea of three men he didn’t know all that well roaming around the Hanging H and falling for Mackenzie and the girls.

Just as he was beginning to fall for them.

Whether he liked it or not, that was the truth. Justin closed his eyes as he rocked in the chair. The tiny night-light sent a soft glow over the room. An occasional baby snuffle or sigh reached him, the sound somehow comforting and not intimidating at all, not the way he’d thought it would be. During his wilder, crazier rodeo days, the idea of a family had been distinctly unappealing.

Mackenzie was recently divorced. No doubt the last thing she wanted was another man in her life. He couldn’t blame her if that was the way she felt.

At dawn, when Betty Harper appeared in the nursery, Justin felt strangely rested. He smiled at Jade’s mother. “Good morning.”

“Go get some rest. I’ll take over from here. Mackenzie said the babies didn’t even move last night.”

He felt like he hadn’t, either. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so relaxed. “I thought I was awake all night. I didn’t even realize Mackenzie came in the nursery.”

Betty smiled. “I checked on you at five. Everybody was sound asleep, which is a first for the girls. They probably feel comforted with a man’s presence around. Babies do that sometimes. You have a nice deep voice with is probably soothing to them.”

She disappeared from the room. Justin rose and stretched. Haven peered up at him from her blanket, and he had the uncanny notion that she was watching him. Did babies see anything at this tender age?

“Hello, little one,” he said, approaching her crib. Gently he picked her up, held her close. “Good morning to you, too.”

He kissed the top of her head, breathed in the sweet baby freshness of her skin, the scent of baby powder.

“Hi,” Mackenzie said, her voice soft.

He turned and saw she was wide-awake and looking refreshed. “You’re up bright and early.”

“I got a lot more sleep than I have since before I became pregnant.” She came to take Haven from him, and he smelled an entirely different smell: strawberry shampoo, delicate floral soap, sexy woman.

His heart did one of those funny flip-flops he’d gotten used to feeling around her.

“Thanks for watching them last night.” She gazed up at him. “I think I slept so well because I knew you were standing guard.”

Oh, boy. There went the heart. “It was no problem. Part of the job.”

“Not part of the job I hired you to do.” She looked at him funny.

He backed up a step when he realized he was staring at her pink, glossy lips. “It’s the job Frog and Fellows are applying for.”

“That’s Ty’s bright idea. And by now, you know Ty can be a bit of a squirrel.” She smiled. “Babysitting isn’t part of your job description. But thank you.”

Warmth expanded in his chest at her smile. He wondered if he’d ever met a woman he was so blindingly attracted to—and decided in a hurry that was a terrible thought to have about his boss. Definitely a dead end. There was no way on this planet he had any business being attracted to her.

“I’m going to get some coffee. You want a cup?”

“No, thank you. You go on.”

He nodded and turned to leave.

Turned back around, met her gaze. Started to say that sitting up with her daughters hadn’t been work; he hadn’t done it because of Frog and Friends. He’d done it because he’d wanted to. Wanted to make her happy, help her out.

But it was a bad idea to make such a confession. No purpose to it at all, and he didn’t do anything unless he knew the purpose.

Shutting his stupid yap tight before it could say weird, mushy things, he left.

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Tina Leonard has sold over 2.6 million copies of her titles. She has made the USA Today Bestseller, Waldenbooks, Bookscan, and Ingrambook lists, and has written and contracted seventy-one books and special projects. Her work has been published by Harlequin, Samhain Publishing, Robinson Scarlet, and most recently Random House Loveswept contracted for a single title trilogy project, Hell’s Outlaws. Leonard was chosen to be among the first authors published for Robinson’s Scarlet line, writing four single title novels for that imprint. Not long after, she sold on proposal to Harlequin American, where she has since written several popular series, most notably the Cowboys By The Dozen, Morgan Men, and Callahan Cowboys series. Her newest single title project, HOTTER THAN TEXAS, was published in March 2013. Leonard is known for her fun sense of humor, endearing communities, snappy dialogue, and memorable characters.

Join Tina at www.tinaleonard.com

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http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rebel-cowboys-quadruplets-tina-leonard/1118053054

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20523679-the-rebel-cowboy-s-quadruplets?ac=1

Better than Perfect by Kristina Mathews - Interview and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kristina will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC plus a digital copy of the book to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I love Contemporary Romance. I love to read and write stories about ordinary people who discover the extraordinary power of love. I especially love sports romance, since love and baseball are my two favorite things.

What research is required?

I have a tough job. I’m required to go to baseball games. I’ve also taken a tour of AT&T Park in San Francisco and we’ve been to Fan Fest at the park. I do hope to go to Spring Training next year. I watch a lot of baseball on TV, and listen to the Kruk & Kuip Show on the local sports radio every morning. The Giants’ broadcasters are both former players and they give great insight into the game and what it’s like to go through a long season as a player.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

I learned that it’s never too late to go after what you really want. Johnny held on to his dream of Alice for fourteen years. But it wasn’t until he came back to San Francisco that he was able to win her heart. I’ve wanted to write for many, many years, but it wasn’t until I turned 40 that I actually did anything about it.

Any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I have an aversion to outlining, sticky notes, and graphic organizers. I do use a spreadsheet to keep track of names, which is helpful when writing a series. I also find if I go more than a day without actively working on a story, I get cranky.

Plotter or pantser?

Pantser. Totally. I can’t outline, at least not on paper. I do plot out the main story arc in my head, but if I dare to write it down, I lose the momentum. It’s like my brain thinks I’m done. I guess that’s because in high school, I was the kid who typed up my papers at the last minute and wrote the required outline (and often rough draft) on the bus.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

My iPhone. If it’s not there, it’s in my pocket. I thought they were stupid when they first came out. “Who needs a phone that can do your taxes?” Now, I can get my tax return on my phone. I spend far too much time on Facebook and Twitter, I can even listen to a baseball game if I’m not able to watch it on TV. I can take pictures, read blogs, and text my kids. Once in a while I even make phone calls.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

My second book in the series, Worth The Trade will be out July 7, 2014. It was originally scheduled for a September release, but I’m excited to have it come out sooner. I have submitted the third book in the series, but don’t have a release date yet.

The woman he left behind and the son he never knew are tougher opponents than any he’s met on the field.

Pitcher Johnny “The Monk” Scottsdale has won awards, been named an All-star and has a perfect game to his credit. Known for his legendary control both on and off the field, his pristine public image makes him the ideal person to work with youth players in a preseason minicamp. Except the camp is run by the one woman he can’t forget…the woman who made him a “monk.”

Alice Harrison’s three strikes include an unexpected pregnancy, a marriage of convenience and young widowhood. She once traded her dreams so Johnny could have a chance at making it to the Majors. Johnny comes back into her life just as she’s ready to resign as foundation director and pursue her own dreams of finally earning her teaching credential. Her plans may go on hold, though, depending on the reaction when she confesses she may have kept a major league secret from Johnny and her son.

With the minutes ticking by until Johnny will leave for spring training, they’ll need to let go of the past and work together in order to win the game of love.

CONTENT WARNING: Some strong language, consummated love scenes

Enjoy an excerpt:

“Alice.” Just saying her name sent a line drive straight to his heart. Even fourteen years later.

“Congratulations on your new contract. I know you’re going to have a great year.” She sounded like any other fan, wishing him well. She just marched right up to his table to ask for an autograph. A freaking autograph? Like he meant nothing to her.

A slight breeze blew her hair around her face. She tried to smile as she tucked a loose strand behind her ear. Blond, straight, silky—and if he remembered correctly—oh-so-soft. She wore modestly cut jeans and a soft blue sweater that on anyone else would have looked plain and proper. He didn’t need to glance at her left hand to know she was off limits. Yet, she still moved him like no other woman ever could. Made him long for what he’d had. What he’d lost. What he’d tried for years to forget.

Johnny nodded, giving his most sincere smile, even though seeing Alice, and her kid, hit him like a 97-mile-an-hour fastball.

They started to walk away.

“Give my best to Mel.” As if he hadn’t already done that.

Alice turned around.

“Mel died. Eight years ago.”

About the Author:

Kristina Mathews doesn't remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. Or in her head. But it wasn't until 2010 that she confessed the reason the laundry never made it out of the dryer was because she was busy writing romance novels.

While she resigned from teaching with the arrival of her second son, she's remained an educator in some form. As a volunteer, Parent Club member or para educator, she finds the most satisfaction working with emergent and developing readers, helping foster confidence and a lifelong love of books.

Kristina lives in Northern California with her husband of twenty years, two sons and a black lab. A veteran road tripper, amateur renovator and sports fanatic. She hopes to one day travel all 3,073 miles of Highway 50 from Sacramento, CA to Ocean City, MD, replace her carpet with hardwood floors and serve as a “Ball Dudette” for the San Francisco Giants.

Website www.kristinamathews.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristinamathewsauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristinaMathews

Buy the book at Lyrical Press, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.

The Fox's Mask by Anna Frost - Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Anna will award a $30 gift card (Amazon OR B&N OR Kobo) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. NOTE: This book is on sale for only $0.99 for a limited time!!

Demon hunter Akakiba keeps many secrets from his human companion. The fact he's a werefox isn't the worst one.

In feudal Japan, magic is dying. As a demon hunter, Akakiba finds this problematic. The evil he's been trained to destroy is disappearing and, along with it, the shape-shifting abilities of the clan he left behind. With his only companion, a determined young human named Yuki, Akakiba traverses the country slaying demons and performing odd jobs.

But when an army of demon-possessed humans masses to exterminate his clan, Akakiba must put aside old feuds and protect his family–-all while hiding an important secret from Yuki. Will they find a way to defeat the demon possessed before it's too late? With magic dwindling, will it matter either way?

Enjoy an excerpt:

Rumor said that shinobi carried out their work in the dead of night, wearing black to disappear in the shadows, entering castles unseen and committing murder unheard.

Rumor, Sanae found out, was wrong.

When she noticed the intruder, it was merely late evening and the colors of sunset hadn’t yet drained from the sky. A gentle wind was tugging strands of hair out of the red ribbon at the nape of her neck, and the air was thick with the scent of spring and renewed life. It was a sudden noise, a thud that did not belong, that first alerted her.

She knelt outside the clan head’s suite on the porch that opened on the gardens. She wasn’t wearing practical clothing like a real guard, but rather a bright-blue furisode with ample sleeves and a beautiful flower pattern. She wore no sword, but a knife was camouflaged in the colorful sash about her waist. Her function was to raise the alarm in case of danger. Fighting was for the adults, those who had undergone the coming-of-age ceremony and thus earned the right to bear a sword. She would soon be one of them, but not yet.

Sanae watched from the corner of her eyes as the intruder became visible among the flowering plum trees. The sound that had alerted her must have been his landing after he’d jumped the wall, an impressive feat indeed. Twice as impressive considering this wall was the second of the clan house, created specifically to protect the clan head and his entourage. The first wall was taller and better guarded. How had this intruder gained access?

Attacks on the Fox clan were so rare that it was considered an honor to witness one. For one to happen while she was standing guard for the first time was amazing luck, and her excitement was far stronger than her fear.

The intruder was dressed in a plain manner that would not attract attention in the clan house, but he could not disguise that which betrayed him: his human aura. The only humans who lived in the clan house were women who did not bear swords. None but a shinobi, an assassin, would be so bold as to try this.

Under normal circumstances, Sanae’s duty would have been to raise the alarm and watch as the intruder fled, discovered too soon to act. But there was no need to let the shinobi know he had been discovered; there was a fox in the garden.

Sanae stared at the fox until she had its attention, then deliberately flicked her gaze toward the intruder. The fox slunk away to enter through a door out of the shinobi’s sight. She forced herself to remain calm, to pretend she hadn’t noticed a thing. After all, she was but a young girl watching the flowers in bloom.

Her heartbeat quickened as the intruder approached, discreetly sizing her up. Would he attack, or would he seek another entrance to the rooms she guarded? There was no doubt he was after the clan head: assassins always were.

About the Author: Anna Frost is a Canadian girl who spends winters writing and dreaming of summer. An overdose of Japanese culture and media has led her to write fantasy inspired by Japanese mythology. In a shocking break with literary tradition, Anna does not live with cats. Instead she lives with chinchillas, which can be just as demanding and evil as cats.

www.annafrost.ca
https://twitter.com/Frostanity
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6452110.Anna_Frost

Buy the book at Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, or Kobo.

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The Thin Veil Series by Jodi McIsaac - Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jodi will award signed print copies of all three books in the Thin Veil series to one randomly selected winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

It’s been seven years since the love of Cedar McLeod’s life left with no forwarding address. All she has left of him are heart-wrenching memories of happier times and a beautiful six-year-old daughter, Eden. Then, one day, Eden opens her bedroom door and unwittingly creates a portal that leads to anywhere she imagines.

But they’re not the only ones who know of Eden’s gift, and soon the child mysteriously vanishes.

Desperate for answers, Cedar digs into the past and finds herself thrust into a magical world of Celtic myths, fantastical creatures, and bloody rivalries. Teaming up with the unlikeliest of allies, Cedar must bridge the gap between two worlds and hold tight to the love in her heart…or lose everything to an ancient evil.

The first in the Thin Veil series, Through the Door is a pulse-pounding adventure that takes readers across the globe and deep into the hidden realms of Celtic lore.

Cedar McLeod would like nothing more than to return to Tír na nÓg, help rebuild the mythical kingdom, and start a new life for herself and her daughter, Eden. But peace isn’t what Cedar finds after being reunited with her little girl.

Nuala—who kidnapped and terrorized Eden in her previous bid for power—has returned and is making a persuasive claim for the vacant throne. The devastation such a ruler would bring upon both the kingdom and the human world is unthinkable. With no one else to stake a convincing counter-claim, Cedar steps forward...but first she must prove her worth beyond a doubt.

Her opportunity comes when she is charged with finding an ancient treasure, the Stone of Destiny, and returning it to its rightful home. It is a quest that will lead her to question her beliefs, and push her loyalties to their limits. If she succeeds, Cedar could grant her new world and her new family a chance to flourish again. If not...destruction may be the only path ahead.

Into the Fire, the second book in the Thin Veil series, is a captivating blend of Celtic myth, mystery, and adventure that delves deeper into the ancient world first explored in Through the Door.

Life just keeps getting more complicated for Cedar McLeod. As the recently crowned queen of Tír na nÓg, she’s trying to understand her magical new kingdom, even as she misses her life back on Earth. It doesn’t help that a dear friend has just betrayed her—a betrayal that almost cost Cedar and her family their lives. And things aren’t easy at home, either, as Cedar’s seven-year-old daughter, Eden, lost and lonely in Tír na nÓg despite her special powers, has become painfully distant.

Cedar vows to do whatever it takes to protect her family once and for all, and starts rounding up those who plotted against her. But then a new disaster breaks out: a mysterious sickness is plaguing the Unseen, Ireland’s magical creatures, including those Cedar knows and loves. With enemies still on the loose and not knowing whom she can trust, Cedar must race against time to reverse an ancient curse, in a journey that will take her from Tír na nÓg to Earth…and beyond.

Brimming with page-turning adventure, Among the Unseen—the exciting conclusion to Jodi McIsaac’s Thin Veil trilogy—weaves an enchanting, captivating spell.

Enjoy these excerpts:

THROUGH THE DOOR (BOOK 1) “Shh, it’s okay,” Cedar said, rubbing Eden’s back. Tears were pricking at her own eyes, but she tried to hold them back. “Your father was a really good person.”

“But why isn’t he here?” Eden sniffed.

Cedar took a deep breath to steady her voice. “I don’t know, to be honest. I wish I did. He went away before he knew I was pregnant. He didn’t leave because of you, Eden. That’s really important for you to understand. When you came along, I tried to find him. But I couldn’t. I’m sorry.”

Eden pulled away, her face twisted. “It’s not fair!” Cedar tried to hug her again, but Eden yanked herself free and stormed down the hall. Cedar stood and watched her disappear around the corner. She’d give her a few minutes of alone time, and then go talk to her again. She listened for the inevitable slamming of Eden’s door. It didn’t come. Instead, Eden’s screams died off as suddenly as if she had run out of air. The apartment fell silent, a sharp contrast to the storm of six-year-old anger that had been raging only moments before.

“Eden?” Cedar called out. Nothing. “Eden?” she tried again, starting to walk down the hall.

“Mummy? Mummy!” came Eden’s voice.

Cedar quickly rounded the corner and saw Eden standing in the hallway outside her bedroom, staring open-mouthed through the gaping doorway. There was some sort of light reflecting on her face. It glimmered and shifted and created strange shapes and lines on her skin, casting her in an otherworldly glow. A slight breeze was lifting the edges of her sundress, brushing it against her legs. A small trail of fine sand crept through the doorway and was starting to collect around her feet.

“What is it, Eden?” Cedar asked as she moved to stand beside her daughter. Then her jaw dropped. “What the…?”

The two of them stood in shocked silence, looking into the room. The air in the open doorway was sparkling with a thousand points of light, like the surface of a pond catching the mid-afternoon sun. They could still see what was on the other side, but through a film. In this case, the film glittered and moved. Even more remarkable than the way the air had changed in the doorway was what was on the other side.
INTO THE FIRE (BOOK 2)

She felt certain that if she could only get inside Maeve’s private sanctuary, all of her questions would be answered.

She placed her hand on the rough wood of the door. “Open,” she whispered, feeling foolish. She glanced over at the tree under which the women were buried, then turned back to the door. “Mum?” she whispered. “It’s okay now. You can let me in. Let me in.” Nothing happened.

Cedar kicked at the door in frustration, and the wood creaked. Encouraged, she kicked it again. Then she took several steps back and flung herself shoulder-first into the door.

She was not expecting the explosion. A loud crack like a rifle shot ruptured the silence of the evening, and a force like a hot wind sent Cedar flying backward through the air. She landed hard on the gravel driveway amid a torrent of red sparks. Her head hit something hard, and she felt the darkness close in on her.

When she opened her eyes again, something was obscuring her view. She could see a rim of light in her peripheral vision. It surrounded the object in front of her like a halo. She recognized it as the porch light. The sky was black; night had fallen. She started to sit up and winced as a sudden burst of pain shot through her head.

“Wait,” the object said. “Let me help you.”

She felt herself being gently lifted into a sitting position. The world swam around her, and she closed her eyes, waiting for the pain in her head to subside. After a moment she opened her eyes again and blinked a few times. Gradually, the object in front of her came into focus. It was a man. He was kneeling beside her, his light gray eyes fixed on her with concern. He was handsome, though old enough to be her father. His shaggy brown hair was generously flecked with gray, his long face was lined and pale, and he was wearing a worn brown leather jacket over beige pants and a buttoned shirt. Behind him, the workshop looked as intact and impenetrable as always, despite the blast that had knocked Cedar off her feet.

AMONG THE UNSEEN (BOOK 3)

Irial was lying on a rock, tanning his perpetually pale skin, surrounded by seals. This island off the west coast of Ireland was never exactly warm, but his body seemed to be acclimatizing itself to the winds and chills. He had felt exhausted of late, so this chance to soak up some rare late-summer rays was a welcome opportunity. He stretched his thin frame and opened one coal black eye, absentmindedly running his hand through his black curls. At a glance, he appeared to be a normal human youth, with strong shoulders, a tight waist, and powerful legs. And yet there was something unearthly about the way all his pieces fit together. Once you set eyes on him, it was difficult to look away.

“Ladies!” he called. “It’s a beautiful day! Why don’t you shed the coats?”

The seal next to him made a sound that he thought was supposed to be laughter—or it might have been a sneeze. It twisted its head and strained its neck, as if trying to push something out. And then the seal’s skin split neatly down the middle, and a dark-haired, dark-eyed, and very naked woman eased her way out and lay down on the rock beside him, the sealskin tucked under one arm.

“Better?” she asked. Some of the other seals did the same, but the rest ignored him.

“Indeed,” Irial said, giving her an appreciative glance. He’d already tried with this one—Syrna, he thought her name was—without getting anywhere, but she did like to flirt. And flirting was something he’d been unable to do since realizing what he was, and what happened to the women who loved him.

“Shout if you see a human,” she murmured, resting her head on her arms and closing her eyes.

“You’ll have to keep watch yourself, my dear,” he answered. “I have a date with you in my dreams.”

“Are all gancanagh as lazy as you?” she asked, but he could tell she was smiling.

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never met another.”

Syrna opened her eyes and turned to look at him. “Really? You’ve never met another like yourself?”

“Hard to believe, I know, when you selkies all live in colonies. But I’m afraid I’m one of a kind. At least, as far as I know. Maybe hundreds of other gancanagh are out there charming the ladies and doing who knows what else.”

About the Author: Jodi McIsaac grew up in New Brunswick, Canada. After stints as a short-track speed skater, a speechwriter, and fundraising and marketing executive in the nonprofit sector, she started a boutique copywriting agency and began writing novels in the wee hours of the morning. She currently lives with her husband and children in Calgary.

Website: www.jodimcisaac.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jodimcisaac
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jodimcisaac
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/jodimcisaac
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JodiMcIsaac

Buy THROUGH THE BOOK (Book #1): Amazon

Buy INTO THE FIRE (Book #2): Amazon

Buy AMONG THE UNSEEN (Book #3): Amazon

See The Thin Veil Series on Amazon.

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The Possession by J. D. Spikes - Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding winner's choice of two ebooks from Lachesis Publishing (http://lachesispublishing.com/) to a randomly drawn winner via the rafflecopter at the end of this post.

Daphne Wentworth is almost seventeen, definitely a red head, and most likely the tallest girl in her class, which is awkward to say the least when it comes to dating boys in her school. But she doesn’t have to worry about school for the next two months since she’s spending the summer at her aunt Dwill’s lighthouse in Maine.

What she does have to worry about is seeing ghosts in the lighthouse cemetery, having strange dreams, and hearing the voices of star-crossed lovers who lived two-hundred years ago. And then there’s a local boy named Zach Philbrook who works for her aunt. He’s too gorgeous for his own good. He’s also very tall, with midnight black hair, and the most beautiful indigo blue eyes Daphne has ever seen.

Zach is treated like an outcast by the local teens in town. He’s Micmac and therefore not “one of the gang”. Daphne can’t help being drawn to his strength, especially considering that he’s had to live his entire life dealing with ignorance. But the local teens aren’t the only trouble-makers in town. As Zach and Daphne get closer, the lighthouse ghost lovers begin haunting them. When Daphne and Zach try to figure out how to fight them, the spirits get bolder and more dangerous. So how do you protect yourself from something that isn’t really there?

Enjoy an excerpt:

It wasn’t the first time a good idea had come back to bite me in the ass, but I was afraid it might be the last.

The plan had seemed harmless enough. I never intended things to get so out of hand, and I certainly hadn’t expected Zach to get involved. No, wait. If I’m going to tell this tale, write it down so it’s never forgotten, I must tell the truth—the whole truth.

I should start at the beginning . . .

I had always resisted being a redhead.

“My hair is brown,” I’d declare, “with red highlights.”

When you were one of six heads that spilled out onto the sidewalk every morning though, the sun unmercifully spotlighting the fact that you varied in shades from the red section of the crayon box, you eventually had to let that notion go. When I was twelve—we were only four heads bobbing off to Catholic school at the top of the hill by then—Mom tried to soothe me by pointing out my hair was auburn.

Auburn. I’d liked the sound of that. It wasn’t red, it was auburn.

Auburn sounded regal and refined.

So did Daphne Wentworth. That’s my name, but I can tell you truthfully I’m neither regal nor refined. I favor t-shirts and jeans and my battered sneakers. I usually have a basketball in my hands. Or a softball bat. I’m tall, always have been. Do you know what it’s like to go through school like a giraffe above the crowd? Above the boys?

But I digress.

My point is, I’m not at all what you’d expect from my name. And what happened to us last summer, what waited at the lighthouse, in that small copse of trees, well . . . you’d never expect that, either.

Not in two hundred years.

Jeanine Duval Spikes is a spinner of romantic tales with a touch of the supernatural. Lifelong research and experience with the paranormal infuse her stories with ethereal spirit, while her belief that love conquers all suffuses them with heart.

She is a paranormal investigator with a small local group, aspiring to help those in need by advancing this exploratory field both spiritually and scientifically. When not writing, you can find her cooking, gardening, horseback riding, or forever getting lost in secondhand shops. The mother of two grown sons, she lives in Rhode Island, the Ocean State, with her very own hero-husband Tim, and two crazy cats. She is the proud recipient of the Jo Ann Ferguson Service Award for selfless assistance and dedication to fellow writers and the craft.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanine.duvalspikes?fref=ts

Website: http://jeanineduvalspikes.wix.com/jeanineduvalspikes

Buy Link:  http://lachesispublishing.com/?product=the-possession-by-j-d-spikes

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Trust Me by Nora LeDuc - Book Review and Giveaway

(Romantic Suspense)

This review is in conjunction with a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Nora will be awarding a $40 Starbucks GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Ela Danforth seeks sanctuary in the small town of Rockypoint, New Hampshire, where she believes her days will return to normal, until a mysterious stalker threatens her refuge, just as a charming lawyer, Nash McCain, enters her life.

My Review:

I fell in love with Nash in the first few lines -- it's obvious he's a good guy, caring and fun and interesting. Nora LeDuc should be commended for her skilled character creation. From the moment we meet each character, we get to know them well, without having descriptions shoved down our throats.

The story starts up with a bang... a car being forced off the road and down an embankment.  From that moment on, it's a page turner.  It's not that the action is constant, but there's this edge of worry that seasons all the interactions in the story.  Ela is a good woman in difficult circumstances who's been betrayed by the people she trusted and loved, and she's trying her best to take care of her flighty (and occasionally annoying) younger sister, Suz, all the while having someone stalking and threatening her.

She wants to trust Nash.  And I want her to, too.  I really fell for him and his daughter. They're such a great team.  But I also understood why she struggled with believing he was who he appeared to be.  Nash falls a bit more quickly, and when he understands she's being threatened, he's determined to protect her.

I admit I struggled to like Suz. I think I was supposed to, but she felt so incredibly selfish and thoughtless and it made her a character I couldn't enjoy. Still, as things progress, and I wondered what Suz was involved in and whether she had something to do with Ela's troubles, it certainly made her a believable suspect (along with many others).  Honestly, just like Ela, we don't know who to trust.

The romance was sweet and really touched my heart. They both have suffered loss in the past, so their relationship was that much sweeter.  And the author did a great job weaving the romance into the suspense. Neither is lacking and it's an exciting, sweet, fast-paced book.

4.5 flowers - This was a very good book! I'd recommend it to my friends.


Enjoy an excerpt:

As for Nash, she’d experienced gratitude mixed with a touch of infatuation since he’d saved Suz’s life. He’d been the hero of the evening. His hazel eyes surfaced in her mind and refused to leave. They had been different. They were full of curiosity, compassion and—

Her phone rang. Splitting her concentration between her musings and the incoming call, she dug out the cell from her pocket.

“The Lord will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity. You must repent and forgive or you will suffer—”

She hit the off button. Her body shook. If her mind hadn’t been in overdrive, she’d never have answered without checking the caller ID. What should she do now? What would he do next?

About the Author: Nora LeDuc lives in New England with her family. TRUST ME is her 12th published book. She loves to watch the daily Headline News Channel with all the latest on crimes. Currently she is working away on her next novel of murder and love. Please visit her website NoraLeDuc.com or visit her on Facebook. She loves to meet new friends.

Buy the book at Amazon.